College and high school graduations that have filled our local news are now in the rearview mirror and schools have closed for summer vacation. The number of “grammar” schools in Rochester have fluctuated over many years, going from the district system to a municipal system and then beginning in 1902 under a superintendency. Through these changes, one thing remained constant. Graduating from Grammar School after completing eight grades was an accomplishment to be celebrated.
Grammar school graduations were big events. Dave Watling donated the program for the 1926 Graduation Exercises of the Rochester Grammar Schools. A picture of the cover is shown with this article. The event was held at the Grange Hall at 8:00 pm on June 17, 1926. The program was extensive, beginning with the entrance of the class and an Invocation.
This was followed by songs performed by the Glee Club alternating with essays presented by their authors. The first Honor Essay, “the Honey Bee” was read by Priscilla Gifford. The second Honor Essay, “The Haven of Work” was by Avon Howe Gerrish. There were three additional essays as well as a piano solo by Clara Isabelle Garcia and a song sung by Catherine Teresa Walker.
The music and essays were followed by a cast of students performing the “Trial Scene” from “The Merchant of Venice” and then the awarding of Reading Certificates and the presenting of diplomas. The evening ended with a Benediction.
This Grammar School graduation ceremony was for 17 students from four schools: Priscilla Gifford, David Lawrence Hartley and Addie Augusta Shurtleff from the Center School; Clara Isabelle Garcia, Avon Howe Gerrish, Arthur Arnold Reed, Myrtle Olive Reed, Edward John Thomas and Gertrude Louise Thomas from the North Rochester School; Chester Albert Rollins, Catherine Teresa Walker and George Edward Walker from the Pierceville School and finally, from the Stuart School, Albert Oscar Bourgault, Florence Gayorski, Mary Blanche Ouelette, Romeo Theophille Ouelette, Edward Tomasik and Agnes Tavares.
We have a few other graduation programs in the museum collection. The 1934 program lists all the students (including my mother, Maude Sybil Hartley and Dave’s mother, Louise Spenser Hartley) without referencing their school.
For many of these graduates, this would be the end of their schooling. Some would be going on to work or training for specific skills and some to family farms or businesses. Those going on to high school would do so outside of Rochester. According to research done by Dorothy Mac Gregor, as of 1901, Rochester students went to high school in Middleboro, Fall River or New Bedford. My grandfather born in 1891 attended Fairhaven High School.
Starting in 1924, Rochester students were transported to Wareham High and in later years went to New Bedford High. This continued until the opening of Old Rochester Regional High School in 1961.
By Connie Eshbach
